Boiling Springs, PA (April 9, 2013) - The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's (ATC) Mid-Atlantic Regional Office will celebrate the unveiling of its redesigned visitor center on Friday, April 12 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 4 East First St. in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. This updated space was made possible by a grant provided by the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau. This event is free and open to the public.

The updated space features a series of brand new informational panels, which provide visitors a comprehensive overview of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) and the ATC. Visitors will have an opportunity to learn about the Trail's history, volunteerism, and the ATC's work with conservation, trail management, community engagement, and youth outreach. The visitor center will also feature an oversize strip map of the A.T.

"The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to showcase the beauty and splendor of the Appalachian Trail with our new exhibits," said Karen Lutz, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of the ATC. "Our hope is that these renovations will provide the public with excitement and inspiration about the Trail and get them out and active."

The center is open year-round on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is closed on weekends and federal holidays, though volunteers may be on-site during summer weekends. An information desk is available where visitors can find answers about hiking the A.T. and other trails in the area. A gift shop is also onsite where people can purchase postcards, maps, guidebooks, and souvenirs. Services to hikers are also available, such as fuel for stoves and running water. Last year the center attracted over 4,500 visitors.

The ATC was founded in 1925 by volunteers and federal officials working to build a continuous footpath along the Appalachian Mountains. The A.T. is a unit of the National Park System, stretching from Georgia to Maine, at approximately 2,180 miles in length. It is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. Volunteers typically donate more than 220,000 hours of their time doing trail-related work each year and about 2 to 3 million visitors walk a portion of the A.T. each year.

About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail - ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. For more information visit www.appalachiantrail.org.